TRBDM -Chapter 104 Breaking the Deadlock

Humiliated beyond words, Nangong Hai glared viciously at Xie Lan. “Was it you who told them?”

A metaphorical pot seemed to drop from the sky; Xie Lan hadn’t even caught what they were arguing about.

“It wasn’t us,” Xie Yu stood up to refute.

Yesterday, they had just happened to run into Nangong Hai, and the three of them hadn’t even exchanged a word—how could anyone claim they were the ones who leaked information?

Moreover, up until now, Xie Yu didn’t even know what shameful thing Nangong Hai had done that others were holding over him.

He vaguely caught the words “punishment transcription,” but he had no idea what it actually involved.

“Nangong Hai, stop making excuses. I’m going to report to the Chief Tutor and the Registrar that you violated the rules by making Zhao Shizi copy the Imperial Academy Regulations as punishment.”

Now Xie Lan and Xie Yu understood.

No wonder Nangong Hai had come out of the Ropes Hall yesterday—he had been making Zhao Shizi copy the regulations as punishment.

Tang Wenhan patted Nangong Hai on the face. “Being handsome is useless. You’re like mud that can’t be propped up—a layer of gold won’t change the straw inside.”

Nangong Hai’s looks were striking in a crowd.

Among women, his appearance was an advantage, but among men, it made him a target.

Tang Wenhan, with his sinewy muscles and rugged looks, didn’t follow the martial path but the scholarly one. He was an average student and looked down on Nangong Hai’s lean, refined appearance.

At the Imperial Academy, Nangong Hai was at the very bottom—even worse than the idle Zhao Shizi.

He had probably only been retained because he could imitate handwriting well.

“Come on, Nangong Hai, let’s go see the Chief Tutor.”

“I’m not going. I didn’t break the rules—why should I go? Besides, do you even have proof?” Nangong Hai tensed up completely, stubborn as a mule, refusing to budge.

Proof—Tang Wenhan didn’t have any.

He was only speculating. Given Zhao Shizi’s mischievous nature, there was no way he could have copied the Regulations in one night; Tang Wenhan suspected Nangong Hai had helped.

So the thought escaped his mouth.

He had only meant to scare Nangong Hai, but when Nangong Hai mentioned someone had “informed,” everything clicked.

He had accidentally guessed correctly.

And the new exchange students were the witnesses.

“You two, come over here.” Tang Wenhan pointed at Xie Lan and Xie Yu with an air of superiority.

“Sorry, we don’t want to get involved in your matter,” Xie Lan refused.

They were exchange students and would be leaving in a few days—there was no need to offend anyone.

Nangong Hai had Zhao Shizi backing him; Tang Wenhan had the Ninth Prince behind him. Whoever it was, Xie Lan didn’t dare provoke.

“Oh? You’re showing some respect now, huh? Told you to come over, and yet you make me ask again?”

Tang Wenhan was furious—a mere exchange student, and here he was acting so high and mighty.

Xie Lan didn’t want to get caught up in unnecessary trouble but didn’t know how to resolve it either.

Factions within the Imperial Academy were intricate, and relationships between the students were complicated; he didn’t want any part of it.

Just as he was about to refuse, a cold, sharp voice rang from behind.

“Tang Wenhan, disturbing class order and inciting conflict among students—three days of confinement. Do you remember this regulation?”

The speaker was the Tenth Prince, Zhao Jingheng.

Everyone was stunned.

Tang Wenhan hadn’t expected the Tenth Prince to intervene.

Although the Tenth Prince had little influence at court, he was still of noble blood, and Tang Wenhan didn’t dare oppose him.

His arrogance immediately deflated. He mumbled, “Your Highness, Nangong Hai was the one breaking the rules.”

Zhao Jingheng didn’t respond, his gaze exuding immense pressure.

Tang Wenhan dared not act out anymore. He shoved Nangong Hai. “You’re lucky this time. If I catch you again, you’re out of the Imperial Academy immediately.”

Nangong Hai narrowly escaped disaster, returning to his seat disheveled and dusty, gnashing his teeth in anger as he mentally tallied a score against Xie Lan and Xie Yu returned to their seats.

Xie Lan glanced at the Tenth Prince, only to find that he had already withdrawn his gaze and was focused on the book in front of him.

Dressed in white, aloof and detached, he seemed completely unaffected by what had just happened.

Xie Lan understood that the Tenth Prince’s apparent intervention to help Nangong Hai was, in reality, a way of protecting the Xie brothers.

His feelings became complicated.

Yesterday he had secretly complained that the Tenth Prince was not a good person, and now, having received his help, he wondered if he had misjudged him.

Two conflicting emotions warred in his mind. The entire class passed in a blur; Xie Lan barely absorbed a thing. After school, he picked up Xie Yu’s book to catch up on notes.

“Third Brother, want to go to the library in a bit? I haven’t finished the book I was reading yesterday and want to continue.”

“Mm, we’ll go.”

With only a few days left before departure, if it weren’t for the dorm rules requiring them to return to their rooms to sleep on time, Xie Lan would have been content just sleeping in the library.

Every single book there held an irresistible allure for him.

After finishing their notes, the two headed to the library.

At a quiet spot, Nangong Hai suddenly jumped out and blocked their way.

“Was it you who tattled?” His face twisted slightly, eyes glinting with hatred.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. We didn’t do anything,” Xie Yu replied.

Nangong Hai refused to believe them.

Today, Crown Prince Zhao had taken leave and wasn’t at the Imperial Academy. Yet at this moment, Tang Wenhan used a punishment of copying texts as an excuse—it could not be a coincidence.

If the Tenth Prince hadn’t intervened in time, Nangong Hai feared he would have been expelled from the academy today.

He played dumb, feigning ignorance and incompetence. Years of painstaking effort were nearly ruined, and how could he not be angry?

Unable to touch Tang Wenhan, could he vent his frustration on the two visiting students instead?

Seeing them deny it, Nangong Hai waved his hand, and three or four figures emerged from the shadows.

They were all students of the Imperial Academy, usually close to Crown Prince Zhao, of the same unscrupulous ilk.

They dared not offend Tang Wenhan, who had powerful backing, but disciplining visiting students was well within their means.

“Nangong Hai, I am the Third Young Master of the Mingde Marquisate. If you lay a hand on me, my mother will never forgive you.”

The Mingde Marquisate was indeed more prestigious than the Nangong family, but with the Crown Prince backing him, Nangong Hai was fearless.

“So what? Today, I’m going to hit you anyway.”

With that, Nangong Hai threw a punch, but Xie Lan nimbly dodged.

“Nangong Hai, fighting in the Imperial Academy without permission will get you expelled. You should think carefully.”

He didn’t need Xie Lan’s warning—he had already considered it.

This secluded spot had almost no one around. He would strike quickly, two against one, to teach the Xie brothers a lesson and silence them. The goal was simple: venting his frustration.

Having been stifled for too long, Nangong Hai needed an outlet.

“What are you standing there for? Come on, all of you!”

At his shout, those surrounding Xie Lan surged forward.

Xie Lan immediately shielded Xie Yu and ran.

There were too many opponents, and the exits had long been blocked.

Amid the chaos, clap, clap—the sound of applause rang out.